NDSU writer Jeff Kolpack on Avery Koenen returning, men's team portal exodus, early FBS life

Looking for the rare feel-good story to come out of the "portal combat" window in college basketball?   Look no further than Fargo, where the Summit League women's player of the year announced Thursday she is returning to NDSU for her senior year.   Wait. That probably doesn't feel good for Jackrabbits and Coyotes fans.    Koenen, the Bison's third all-time leading scorer, cited the loyalty and support shown by Bison teammates, coaches and fans in an interview with WDAY-TV's Dom Izzo on Friday.   She also mentioned "unfinished business," referring to NDSU falling short of a Summit League Tournament championship and NCAA berth after winning the conference regular season title.   South Dakota State and a partisan SLT crowd in Sioux Falls again stood in Koenen's way. With Jacks legend Brooklyn Meyer now out of eligibility, how strong of a favorite are the Bison in 2026-27?   This is just one of many questions for the Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer to ponder over beers at Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.   But Happy Hour beamed north to gain more insight into Koenen's decision with veteran Fargo Forum NDSU writer Jeff Kolpack.    What kind of money is she turning down? Why is Koenen and most of the Bison sticking around while the men's squad that won the conference regular season and tourney titles is losing all of its starters?   And, you can't talk NDSU without mining for insight into the football team's sudden leap from FCS to FBS. Kolpack has early observations from the first practices as a Mountain West team, fundraising, and fan buzz.   Some will predict the Bison to win the league right away. But why might Kolpack think those fans should put down the Kool-Aid?